WA’s first law officer unaware of Crown commissioner’s Stokes link, but sees no issue
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Attorney-General John Quigley did not know of former Supreme Court judge Neville Owen’s personal and business relationships with billionaire Kerry Stokes before Mr Owen was selected to lead the Perth Casino Royal Commission.
But he sees no issue with the former judge’s appointment.
Commissioners Lindy Jenkins, Neville Owen and Colin Murphy on day one of the Perth Casino Royal Commission.
Credit:The West Australian
On Friday, Mr Owen publicly declared he sat on the board of a Stokes investment company called Clabon, after earlier declaring a personal relationship with the billionaire who, as chairman of Seven West Media, has strong ties to witnesses in the inquiry.
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Western Australia’s market-led proposals policy, used by major developers to pitch unsolicited ideas to the state government, is opaque and could see taxpayer money wasted.
A leading government transparency advocacy group says there are a number of “red flags” in the policy, which has been running for 2½ years.
The market-led proposals policy has led to a number of controversies including the Fremantle Film Studio and the Cedar Woods Swanbourne development.
Credit:Picture: Supplied
Transparency International Australia chief executive Serena Lillywhite said market-led proposals established an avenue outside of normal government processes to secure public money for projects – with potentially less oversight.
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